Feed Intake, Digestibility, Growth Performance and Blood Profile of Yearling Hararghe Highland Rams Fed Diet Containing Concentrate Mixture and Sugarcane Bagasse or Rice Husk Treated with Trichoderma Viride and Effective Microorganisms

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and blood profile of Hararghe highland sheep fed biologically treated rice husk (RH) or sugarcane bagasse (SCB) in concentrate mixtures. Thirty six sheep with initial weight of 18 ± 1.8kg (mean ± SD) were assigned in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in 2x3 factorial arrangements, with two feeds (SCB and RH) and three treatment groups (Control, Trichoderma viride and effective microorganism (EM)). Sheep were fed ad libitum for 90 days at 20% refusal rate followed by10 days of digestibility trial. Nutrient intake and digestibility were significantly influenced by interaction. Sheep fed either treated or untreated RH based diets had significantly higher DM, OM, CP and ME intake than diet based on untreated SCB or treated with Tv. Sheep fed on RH containing diets had a higher average daily gain (ADG) (106 vs 53 g/d) and feed conversion efficiency (0.107 vs 0.076) than SCB containing diets. Sheep fed diets containing biological treated roughages had significantly higher (p<0.05) average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency. However, no significant differences were observed between sheep fed diets containing EM and Tv in ADG and FCE. Some values of blood hematology (RBC, Hgb and PCV) and serum metabolites (total protein, urea, glucose and cholesterol) were significantly (p<0.05) higher for sheep fed diet containing RH. In conclusion, the result shows that biological treatment of feed with EM or Tv improved nutrient utilization and average daily gain in fattening sheep diet.

Keywords: biological treatment, Feed conversion efficiency, Feed intake, sheep, Digestibility